For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 2,260 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC are Castle Hayne Elementary School, Murrayville Elementary School and John J Blair Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in New Hanover County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Castle Hayne Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3925 Roger Haynes Drive
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4970
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4970
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
Murrayville Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 Mabee Way
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
John J Blair Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6510 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Wrightsboro Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2716 Castle Hayne Rd
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Gr: PK-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
R Freeman Sch Of Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Gr: PK-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
4905 South College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Gr: PK
New Hanover County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Gr: 6-8 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Gr: K-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
3830 Juvenile Center Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC include Castle Hayne Elementary School, Murrayville Elementary School and John J Blair Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in New Hanover County?
6 public preschools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public preschools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in New Hanover County include: College Road Early Childhood Center vs. R Freeman Sch Of Engineering, Murrayville Elementary School vs. Wrightsboro Elementary School, R Freeman Sch Of Engineering vs. College Road Early Childhood Center
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